Independent Study

Many of you are interested in pursuing more advanced research during your time at GHD. In terms of course registration, you may be interested in the two broad course options designed for pursuing an independent study: GHDP 6025 “Applied Econometrics Workshop” taught by Professor Udomsaph in the spring semester, and GHDP 7027 (fall semester) or GHDP 7028 (spring semester), which are independent study courses titled "Advanced Topics in International Development."  This note describes these courses in more detail. If you would like to discuss research options, please feel free to reach out to Professors Radelet, Udomsaph, or Tiongson.

GHDP 6025 “Applied Econometrics Workshop” is a 3-credit course that meets weekly (usually Friday mornings) during the spring semester. This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to deepen their econometrics and Stata expertise (strengthening and building upon skills introduced in GHDP 5003 and 5006). The major requirement is a high-quality applied econometrics paper on a topic of their choice. This course provides a certain amount of structure to support student research (including regular weekly class meetings, lectures on advanced regression methods and Stata techniques, and monthly exchange of peer feedback on work-in-progress), while still allowing flexibility in choosing topics and data sources. GHD students can register for this course in the usual way, and it does not require special permission.

GHDP 7027 (fall semester) and GHDP 7028 (spring semester) are both 3-credit independent study courses titled "Advanced Topics in International Development."  These courses are an option open to GHD students in either the fall or spring semester of their second academic year. These courses are designed as self-directed programs of independent research and study, under the supervision of a Faculty Adviser, which typically result in producing a research paper of publishable quality. The courses are designed for students wishing to delve deeply into a particular area of interest aligned with the expertise of a faculty member (usually a full time or adjunct GHD faculty member, but non-GHD faculty can serve in this role).

GHDP 7027 and 7028 are not structured as regular courses, and do not include regular weekly meetings or other students. Thus, students proposing to undertake an Independent Study must demonstrate the capacity to work independently to the highest standards, and be motivated to undertake a rigorous research project. The topic of the paper ideally should align with the student's area of specialization. The research can be quantitatively based, but does not have to be, so long as it is a rigorous research project.

Registration for this course must be approved by Professor Radelet and is not automatic. Therefore, students must have a back-up plan and should register for an extra course for the semester in case the independent study is not approved.

The goal of independent studies is that you produce something that is published in peer-reviewed academic journals.

We generally recommend that students take this course in the spring of their second year, which gives them more time to prepare and take additional coursework. However, the fall semester of the second year is an option.

Process: 

1) Students should initiate contact with the faculty member of their choice to inquire whether that faculty member would be willing to serve as their Faculty Adviser for the Independent Study course. Faculty members may or may not agree to accept an independent study student and are not obligated to take on this extra assignment. If you are interested in taking this course next semester, you should approach potential Faculty Advisers as soon as possible. In order to obtain approval for your independent study, you need to have a well-developed idea in advance of registration for courses, as well as an agreement with a Faculty Adviser.

2) Students should register for the course in the usual way, but must also register for an extra course in case final approval is not granted. Students will then drop one of the courses during the regular drop/add period at the beginning of the semester.

3) Students must submit a formal independent study proposal (1-2 pages) to the Faculty Adviser, copying Professor Radelet, Professor Tiongson, and Kristen Robinson. The proposal must be approved by the Faculty Adviser.

4)  If the proposal is approved by the Faculty Adviser, the student will then develop a detailed course syllabus, with guidance from the Faculty Adviser. The syllabus is basically a plan of action for the semester, and should include specific dates for deliverables, including regular progress reports, a graded mid-term assessment, readings, and a clear, detailed description of the final output (typically, a research paper). The Faculty Adviser must approve the syllabus.

5)  If the Faculty Adviser approves the syllabus, the student must submit the syllabus, along with an email from the Faculty Adviser indicating their approval, to Professor Radelet, Professor Tiongson, and Kristen Robinson. 

5) Once approved by Professor Radelet, the student may register for the course.